Your internet connection has a direct impact on your quality of life. Why wouldn’t it when all your work, education, and entertainment is dependent on the internet? If we’ve come to such a point where the internet is king, then we should put a decent amount of time and consideration into choosing our ISP (or Internet Service Provider).
Once you’ve chosen your ISP, switching over to another provider takes its sweet time. Not because the process of switching is time-consuming, but because the human condition procrastinates such tasks. So, save yourself a lot of grief and just start the process in a smart way.
This article will teach you what you need to look for when you’re subscribing to any ISP. While many review sites have a compare broadband tool that could save you time, it’s wise to independently assess each provider based on the following factors.
TYPE OF INTERNET CONNECTION
Before you start looking for speed, first check what type of internet connection your ISP is offering. Depending on where you live, the main choices are DSL, cable, and fiber optic. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but what you should know is that fiber optic offers the highest speeds, while DSL is the all-round winner and most common type of internet connection available. But you need to know that Cable Internet connection tends to be faster than DSL, with speeds often going over 100 Mbps.
SPEED
The second this to assess is internet connection speed. Understand that if your ISP says 20 Mbps, that doesn’t mean you’ll constantly have that internet speed. You need to give room for at least a 6 Mbps fallout, depending on the distance of your location from your ISP (yes, the farther you are the slower the speed) and the number of users that are using your internet connection.
You also need to check for the stability of that speed. Fiber optic has the most stable connection out of the three options and would not be hindered by factors such as distance. However, fiber optic is not available in all areas. However, ISPs are continuously growing their network so you might end up having it in your neighborhood sooner rather than later.
QUALITY
Quality doesn’t just refer to the speed and stability of your internet connection. Other factors also go into assessing quality, which includes customer service and resolution of downtimes. The best way to gauge these factors is to read reviews on consumer review sites. Customers are bound to post their experiences with ISPs and, while you should not believe everything you read, it should you give you a general idea.
PRICE
Believe it or not, while the price is an important factor, its what should be considered last. Once you have assessed the above-mentioned factors, you can then put them into perspective based on your budget and then move forward. This will ensure that you are getting an option that gives you the most value for money.
Read More: How Do You Use The Internet?
Final Words
We hope the above helps you in looking for the right internet connection for you. Remember, you can always call up these ISPs and speak to them if you have any questions. Salespeople are always eager to make a sale and they’ll answer your questions happily. Just make sure you keep all the above in mind even when you speak to a salesperson.
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